Mediation and Dispute Resolution Certificate

Develop the knowledge and practical skills to effectively mediate disputes. Learn conflict resolution methods applicable to a wide range of professional settings. Prepare to achieve your Qualified Mediator (Q. Med) designation.

The Role of Mediation in Alternative Dispute Resolution

Mediation is a popular and highly effective form of alternative dispute resolution (ADR). Other types of ADR include arbitration, negotiation and facilitation.
Key features of mediation:

  • The mediator does not decide the outcome of a dispute, but rather helps parties reach mutually agreeable resolutions
  • Resolutions reached through mediation are not legally binding
  • Mediation is private, flexible and voluntary
  • Mediation can be used to resolve a wide range of commercial and civil disputes

Mediation and Dispute Resolution Certificate—Overview

The Mediation and Dispute Resolution certificate is a 12-week online course. Complete assignments when it’s convenient for you, participate in live discussions, and receive personalized support from a dedicated instructor.

In this course you will learn:

  • An overview and comparison of different ADR models, including arbitration, mediation, and negotiation
  • Practical techniques for resolving workplace conflicts, including coaching, negotiating, and mediating
  • How to uncover and address the root causes of conflicts
  • Procedures and techniques for conducting family mediations
  • Codes of practice and professional standards for mediators
  • How to conduct a mediation online

Mock Mediations and Role Play—Practical Training Component

The Mediation and Dispute Resolution certificate includes 10 hours of mandatory role play using video and teleconferencing tools.

Students simulate and work through a variety of dispute scenarios, including:

  • Workplace conflicts
  • Community-based conflicts
  • Family conflict involving spouses and children
  • Division of property and child support

Role play is a mandatory requirement for earning the Qualified Mediator (Q.Med) designation from the ADR Institute of Canada.

Career Options in Mediation and Dispute Resolution

Mediation is used to settle a wide variety of disputes, including labour relations, business and consumer disputes, community and family conflicts.

Graduates of the Mediation and Dispute Resolution certificate are qualified to: 

  • Work toward the Qualified Mediator (Q.Med) designation 
  • Work as independent mediators, specializing in a specific industry or domain 
  • Join an ADR or mediation firm 
Woman standing in front of table where colleagues are working

Meet one of our instructors and learn more about training and career options in mediation.

READ MORE

Course Schedule and Format

Instructor Led Format

(Synchronous Components)
Instructor Led courses follow a set class schedule with a dedicated Instructor and classmates. Students can work on assignments and readings when it works best for their schedule. The Instructor posts in the discussion forum and hosts live online lectures (via conference and/or video call). Students can use those opportunities to discuss assignments, industry topics etc. with their Instructor and peers.

The Instructor Led format offers increased engagement, opportunity for discussion and requires students to complete assignments and participate in live lectures on a weekly basis.

Note: This Instructor Led course require mandatory participation in weekly role-play and mock mediation scenarios.

Live lectures (recommended) take place via video conference call on Tuesdays from 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM EST and role play sessions (mandatory) on Wednesdays from 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM EST. Please note these times and days are subject to change with notice. In the event a student misses a mandatory session alternative arrangements may be made available.

2 Weeks (40 hours)

Mediation is a form of alternative dispute resolution (ADR), which spans facilitation, negotiation, mediation, arbitration, adjudication, and litigation. Participants in this course will explore the history and goals of mediation, and the elements of the mediation process. This course examines the role of a mediator and delivers an overview of the skills necessary to successfully mediate.

2 Weeks (40 hours)

There are a number of options for resolving conflict that clients can choose from. The Dispute Resolution Assessment training course describes many avenues for dispute resolution and discusses the importance of understanding the range of options available for both non-adversarial and adversarial dispute resolutions. This information is crucial for assisting clients navigate the most appropriate method[s] for their particular situation.

2 Weeks (40 hours)

Family mediation is challenging work requiring a commitment to the development of professional skills and practice, an ability to reflect upon and enter into critical analysis of performance and an ability to produce professional documents to tight timescales. Family mediation requires personable, articulate and assertive individuals who have good listening skills and practical experience of working with individuals and couples. The impact of a separation and divorce on all people involved, including children, can be difficult. Students will learn about the impact on families and how they must be carefully approached. The Managing Family Dynamics training course will teach students about the structure, function, and roles within a family system as it relates to the family mediation setting.

2 Weeks (40 hours)

Family Mediation is practiced by Lawyers and Non-Lawyers. It is fundamental that all Mediators understand the legal options and issues that arise during a family separation. While Mediators do not provide legal advice; it is important to be aware of the implications of Support and Property, Custody and Access. In the Family Law for Non-Lawyer Mediators training course students will learn how to draft a Memorandum of Understanding and Agreement; when a Family Mediation has concluded. Students will also learn about the importance of collaboration practice and options for a Family Mediation.

2 Weeks (40 hours)

In the Workplace Dispute Resolution training course, the participants examine the sources and dynamics of workplace conflicts. Participants lean to identify the sources and dynamics of conflict in the workplace, with an emphasis on minimizing power imbalances in interpersonal workplace conflict. This course examines the issues of the impact of organizational culture on employees, diversity in the workplace, harassment policies and the various methods of resolving workplace conflict including coaching, negotiating, and mediating with special emphasis on difficult work situations. Finally, participants evaluate conflicts, their sources, the parties, the relationships between the parties, and the legislative and regulatory environments to best implement organizational and workplace conflict management principles.

2 Weeks (40 hours)

A rewarding and fulfilling career helping separated couples reach settlements and chart a better future for themselves and their children lies ahead for those who take part in our field-leading, cutting-edge Family Mediation course.

The Introduction to Family Mediation training course delivers the foundation to work in a variety of settings where you will learn to provide family dispute resolution services and interventions for families experiencing relationship conflict and going through the process of separation. The course will equip students with the knowledge and skills to mediate family disputes by understanding the fundamentals of family dispute resolution.

Topics covered focus on family mediation in practice and cover Screening Clients for Mediation, Strategies for Family Mediation and Steps in the Family Mediation Model, and the separation of Finances and Property.

You will practice applying your family dispute resolution skills in a safe and professional online learning environment, learn to facilitate a family mediation and will examine and apply an ethical framework to your mediation using codes of practice and standards.

4 hours

This four hour workshop will be scheduled on specific days/times within your certificate. Read an interview with our Instructor to learn more The year 2020 has seen a permanent change to many workplace environments with numerous businesses moving to an internet-based workplace. While mediations have traditionally been conducted in person, online dispute resolution has actually been employed in various mediation settings for decades. Recent free or affordable technology in video conferencing as well as high speed internet connections has made online mediation attractive even without the obvious social distancing protection. Learn the pro and cons of online dispute resolution and areas of particular importance that include:

  • Security of transmission of documents
  • Signed agreements- including agreements specific to online mediation – DocuSign
  • Confidentiality – no one listening in. – no taping of session
  • Security of platform
  • Various platforms
  • Bandwidth and streaming requirements and how to manage ‘lags’
  • Using the technology to your advantage…..ie break out rooms, digital document sharing
  • Teaching techno challenged individuals on how to use the technology
  • Pre-mediation Technical check in
  • Waiting rooms and closing the conferencing doors

Also learn about some of the various conferencing platforms such as:

  • Go To Meeting
  • Zoom
  • Microsoft Teams
  • Cisco
  • Free vs. purchased web conferencing software
  • Understanding open source software and closed source software

Instructors

Meet our industry-expert Instructors.

Overview

START DATES
June 5, July 3, August 14, September 11, October 9, November 6, December 4
TOTAL PROGRAM LENGTH
12 weeks (240 hours)
DELIVERY
Online (Instructor Led)
ENTRANCE REQUIREMENT
Post-secondary education (degree or diploma) OR experience in a related field

Now Offering Specialized Mediation Training!

The Advanced Family Mediation class from the Family Mediation Certificate is now accredited by The ADR Institute of Canada (ADRIC) and The ADR Institute of Ontario (ADRIO) for 21 hours of the specialized mediation and related training education requirement for the Qualified Mediator (Q.Med) designation.

Ready to start?

Certificates and Individual Classes start frequently!

Accrediting Associations

 

Accreditation and Recognition

Who Should Take the Course?

Our Mediation students come from diverse professional backgrounds. We work with:

  • Lawyers and individuals with a legal background
  • Non-lawyers seeking to become professional mediators
  • Business managers and HR professionals
  • Educators
  • Union representatives
  • Government officials

Admission requirements:

  • Post-secondary university degree or college diploma; OR
  • Relevant professional experience

Tuition

The chart below outlines the cost of the Mediation and Dispute Resolution classes  if you choose to take them individually. Once you register for 3 or more classes within a certificate you will be charged the non-refundable $200 registration fee. Individual classes must be paid in full at time of registration.

A $200 non-refundable registration fee is charged at the time you register for an entire certificate. We offer a payment plan for tuition of three equal payments of $932 at week 1, week 5, and week 9.

Kompass Alumni Benefit: Students that successfully complete a certificate with Kompass are eligible for 20% off future certificates and classes!

**Group and employer discounts and custom corporate training options are available for 3 or more students**


Textbooks

*Students are responsible for purchasing these additional printed OR digital textbooks

Art and Practice of Mediation, 2nd Edition & Choices in Approaching Conflict: Understanding the Practice of Alternative Dispute Resolution Book Bundle – $113 – $168 (digital or print)

The Family Dispute Resolution Handbook, 6th Edition – $145 (print)

Courses
Individual Cost
Introduction to Alternative Dispute Resolution (2 weeks)
$465
Dispute Resolution Assessment (2 Weeks)
$466
Workplace Dispute Resolution (2 Weeks)
$466
Introduction to Family Mediation (2 Weeks)
$466
Managing Family Dynamics (2 Weeks)
$466
Family Law for Non-Lawyer Mediators (2 Weeks)
$466
Online Dispute Resolution Workshop – Mediation (4 hours )
$299